Revista Octubre Toastmasters

TOASTMASTER ®
VIEWPOINT
Publisher
Daniel Rex
Magazine Supervisor
& Editor
Laura Amann
Senior Editor, Executive
& Editorial Content
Paul Sterman
Senior Editor
Stephanie Darling
Assistant Editor
Laura Mishkind
Content Strategy
Suzanne Frey
Digital Content Editor
Shannon Dewey
Graphic Design
Susan Campbell
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2020–2021 OFFICERS
International President
Richard E. Peck, DTM
International President-Elect
Margaret Page, DTM
First Vice President
Matt Kinsey, DTM
Second Vice President
Morag Mathieson, DTM
Immediate Past President
Deepak Menon, DTM
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Rex
2020–2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Naomi Takeuchi, DTM
Region 1
Karen Lucas, DTM
Region 2
TK O’Geary, DTM
Region 3
Harold Osmundson, DTM
Region 4
Mohamad Qayoom, DTM
Region 5
Melissa McGavick, DTM
Region 6
Sal Asad, DTM
Region 7
Roy Ganga, DTM
Region 8
Stefano McGhee, DTM
Region 9
Elizabeth Nostedt, DTM
Region 10
Aletta Rochat, DTM
Region 11
Lesley Storkey, DTM
Region 12
Sudha Balajee, DTM
Region 13
Dorothy Isa Du, DTM
Region 14
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Convention
Conveys
Worldwide
Community
Since the appearance of COVID-19 in
early 2020, we have all had to make
tough and often emotional decisions. One
of the toughest decisions World Headquarters and the Board of Directors had
to make this year was how best to conduct the 2020 Toastmasters International
Convention. How could we create the level of community, networking, and inspiring
programming that is such a part of our convention? Could it even be done?
Eventually, the obvious choice became to hold a virtual convention, despite all the
unknowns. What would it look and feel like, what would it cost, and how many
people would be willing to attend? The price was announced (attendance would
be free), registration was opened, and then the waiting game began. It started off
slow … 1,000 … then 2,500 … then a jump to 10,000 … and in the end, over 60,000
individuals registered for the first-ever virtual convention in our 95-year history.
With so many registrants, and this being our first experience with a large
online platform, there were inherent risks of technical difficulties, and while some
risks were realized in the first few days, World Headquarters quickly resolved
them. In the end, the convention was a success, with thousands of attendees over
an exciting six days. For the first time, as far as I can remember, we conducted our
Annual Business Meeting with zero invalid votes! Thank you to all the delegates
who participated in this historic business meeting.
Congratulations to the newest members of the Board on your election, I
know you will serve our members well. Congratulations also to Mike Carr, our
2020 World Champion of Public Speaking, and our newest Accredited Speaker,
Mohamed Ali Shukri, DTM. I stand in awe of your accomplishments and wish
you all the best on your future endeavors.
For me, the convention is about connecting with old friends while meeting
new ones, experiencing the majesty of the Opening Ceremony and the Parade
of Flags, and cheering on competitors from around the world as they vie for the
World Championship of Public Speaking®. This year, I was still able to experience
all these things only in different ways. Regardless of how we connect with
one another the importance is that we connect … and no one had to witness my
attempt at dancing!
Past International Director Tracy Thomason, DTM, once stated that what
makes Toastmasters special is the sense of community it provides, that feeling of
belonging, the feeling that we matter to one another. This year’s virtual convention
still allowed us to come together as a worldwide community!
I encourage you to continue to reach out to our members and clubs around the
world, to meet new friends, and grow your community. Together, we can make a
positive, lasting impact on the world.
Richard E. Peck, DTM
International President
TOASTMASTER | OCTOBER 2020 3